Human Rights Conference

The chairpersons Britta Davidsohn and Tasso Stafilidis from Stockholm Pride and West Pride will welcome all attendants to the Human Rigths Conference in Stockholm.

12:15–12:45 Opening SpeachThe Human Rigths Conference in Stockholm will be opened with speeches from the Minister of Culture and Democracy Alice Bah Kuhnke and the former Minister for European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson.

13:00–13:45 The Relationship of Democracy & LGBTI Rights In Turkey & The BalkansThere are serious shortcomings in these countries in the judicial system, including corruption and organized crime, and fundamental human rights. Discrimination against Roma and HBTQ people is particularly major shortcomings, as well as freedom of expression. In terms of freedom of expression and press freedom, there is a backward trend with repeated attacks on journalists. What are the major challenges and what is required of us to improve the situation? Participants: Anna Sundström, Secretary General Olof Palmes International Center; Sedef Cakmak, President of Rainbow Rose; Jonas Gunnarsson, former rapporteur on LGBTI the council of europe; Julie Ward, MEP for Labour. Moderator: Richard van de Burgt, Rainbow Rose Netherlands Organised by HBT-Socialdemokrater

13:00–13:45 Strategic litigation: using the courts to advance the rights of LGBTI peopleTomas Vytautas Raskevičius, Lithuania and Adrian Coman, Romania/US, will tell about their recent court cases where courts have ruled in favour of LGBTI rights. In June this year The European Court of Justice (ECJ), the supreme court of the European Union and the ultimate authority on matters of EU law, ruled that Romania can not infringe on the freedom of movement for EU citizens and their spouses, and must recognise that right also for same sex couples. Residency rights must be offered in the same way as to opposite sex couples. The case concerned was that of Adrian Coman, and his US husband, Claibourn Hamilton. Adrian Coman will tell the story of the case, and answer questions from the audience. Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius is in an independent LGBTI human rights advocate from Lithuania. In cooperation with the National LGBT* Rights Organization LGL, he initiated strategic litigation process which resulted in removal of the abusive sterilization requirement for obtaining legal gender recognition. Mr. Raskevičius is also a legal representative of the applicants in the ECtHR’s case Beizaras v. Lithuania focusing on extreme homophobic hate speech online. Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius will tell about the cases he has worked on under the title "From Zero to Hero: Strategic Litigation as a Tool for Advancing on LGBT Rights in "Difficult" Countries". Participants: Tomas Vytautas Raskevičius, Lithuania; and Adrian Coman, Romania/US Organised by: EuroPride.

13:00–13:45 Restoring the natural order: The religious extremists’ vision to mobilize European societies against human rights on sexuality and reproductionThis spring, European Parliamentary Forum on Population and Development (EPF) revealed that campaigners from the US and Europe have been strategizing “achievable goals” to roll back human rights in Europe since 2013. Documents have emerged showing a detailed, extremist strategy called Restoring the Natural Order: an Agenda for Europe, which seeks to overturn existing laws on basic human rights related to sexuality and reproduction and LGBTI rights. The study produced by EPF shows, among other findings, links to anti-abortion initiatives in Poland, Spain and at EU level; a strategy that targets contraception, divorce and IVF, as well as anti equal marriage movements in Croatia, Romania and Slovenia. In this session you will hear from the writer of the study, Neil Datta, Secretary of EPF. Ulrika Karlsson, Member of the Swedish Parliament (M), and president of EPF will introduce the session. Participants: Neil Datta, Secretary of EPF and Ulrika Karlsson, President of EPF. Organised by EuroPride

13:00–13:45 How do we work to ensure the right to accessible trans specific health care?In 2017 Transgender Europe released the report “Over diagnosed but underserved. Trans Healthcare in Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden: Trans Health Survey”. The report provided a deeper understanding of the healthcare situation of trans people in Europe and was based on a survey in five countries; Georgia, Poland, Serbia, Spain, and Sweden. Mina Tolu from Transgender Europe will discuss some of the findings of the report. There will be a discussion with Emelie Mire Åsell, who will focus on the Swedish situation regarding access to gender affirming health care, and Erica Anderson, who will give examples from the US contexts where trans rights are increasingly under attack. Annika Strandhäll, minister in charge of health care, will give her view on how access and quality of health care can be improved. Participants: Annika Strandhäll, Minister for Social Affairs, Sweden; Erica Anderson, trans activist and psychologist, US; Emelie Mire Åsell, spokesperson for trans rights, RFSL, Sweden; Mina Tolu, Transgender Europe, Malta/Germany. Organised by The Swedish Federation for LGBTI Social Democrats Moderator: Cal Orre, RFSL

13:00–13:45 Stories of struggle – Activists’ accounts of LGBTQ rights and repression in difficult environments.All over the world LGBTQ people face different realities, challenges, legislation and attitudes. While over the past couple of years, some progress is noted in some countries, others have introduced suppressive legislation. Globally democratic and liberal values are experiencing a backlash, a development not least visible for minorities. Nationalism, conservatism, religious extremism and sexism are some of the banners against which LGBTQ-groups face repression. In this seminar, Liberals from countries such as Latvia, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, Tunisia, Georgia and Ukraine will share accounts of the situation for LGBTQ people when it comes to legislation, societal attitudes, violence and harassment. Organised by: LGBT liberals Sweden and SILC.

14:00–14:45 Council of Europe and the work for LGBTI rights.LGBTI - persons all across Europe face legal burdens and obstacles when it comes to private and family life. Politically, little has been done on a pan European level in this field, partly since it’s been hard to predict the outcome of initiatives but mostly due do the huge differences in approach towards these political issues across our continent.

In this session, you will hear from the two CoE rapporteurs on LGBTI rights, Jonas Gunnarsson, Sweden, and Piet du Bruyn, Belgium. They will talk about the reports on the rights of transgender people, of intersex people and of the situation in Chechen Republic (Chechnya). We will also get updates on the Recommendation of Ministers on LGBTI rights from 2010. What is the situation now in member states?The Scembri report from 2016 on discrimination of transgender people in Europe was a landmark victory. For the first time ever, trans people’s rights was elaborated on in a very in-depth and inclusive process by a convention-based multilateral international organisation. Jonas Gunnarsson will talk about this. Piet du Bruyn will report on his reports “Promoting the human rights of and eliminating discrimination against intersex people” and “Persecution of LGBTI people in the Chechen Republic (Russian Federation)”.Participants: Jonas Gunnarsson, Sweden; and Piet du Bruyn, Belgium, Council of Europe rapporteurs. Organised by EuroPride

14:00–14:45 Legal gender recognition of minors.To get your identity confirmed legally by the state is a human right. Today Swedish trans youth lack the right to have the correct legal gender. This fall the Swedish parliament plan on voting on a new gender recognition law that makes it possible for children to change legal gender. Sweden is behind on this legislation - lots of countries in Europe has more radical legislation than Sweden. What is the state of gender recognition on Europe? What countries have good laws - and where have the new laws created problems for trans youth? We discuss good examples and how to handle issues such as parental rights vs children’s' rights. RFSL Ungdom talks with representatives from Transgender Europe. Participants: Frank Berglund, RFSL Ungdom Sweden; Toryn Glavin, Stonewall UK; Mina Tolu, TGEU Germany/Malta. Organised by: RFSL Ungdom and TGEU

14:00–14:45 LGBT+ rights in the Western Balkans and TurkeyIn line with the other characteristics of the passively transitioning societies of the Western Balkans, traditionally patriarchal alongside with Turkey, the LGBT+ protection mechanisms progress has been slow and averse in certain aspects. The LGBT+ community in the region continues to be predominantly oppressed and at times, openly discriminated. As a direct result of inefficient government measures and inactivated laws in practice, often not present at all, the abstention from coming out and living in an imposed stigma alongside with lack of personal freedom of expression and self-realization has a direct consequence on the wellbeing of the individual and on a working democratic society. Within the different stages of democratization of the Western Balkan countries, all commonly sharing the post-communist legacy, it is a question of finding a path to a persistent presence and ever-stronger activism assisted by a continuing dialogue of the local and trans-local civil society with governmental institutions on a national, and larger regional framework. Istanbul Pride Parade started in 2003, and as of 2014 they are continuously banned. What used to be a powerful event of strong, optimistic message sent to the world each year with as many as 25 000 people in attendance, now seems like a commemoration of something happening a lifetime ago. The authorities “return to traditional values” echoing a sentiment while empowering patriarchal nationalism, has set a bumpy road not only for the thousands of activists, but greatly for the majority of common citizens by stopping democracy and lowering the standard of human rights. Turkey has banned all forms of public LGBT activism in its capital city of Ankara in November 2017 — stating that such demonstrations are a threat to “public security” and “public sensitivities.” On the path of a long-way transitioning environment, how important is to have regional cooperation, mutual support in sharing experience, mental, human and symbolic resources? What are the experiences and struggles that the activism in these countries has shown? What were the downsides of the small and bigger fights the Activists have won? What strategies have been proven efficient? Finally, which are the obstacles left to overcome and what is the path towards mobilizing and emancipating masses? How crucial is the regional networking in the fight against homophobia and transphobia? Participants: Filip Kocevski, Project Coordinator at Support Group of young LGBTIQ persons “Izađi”, Vladana Vasić, Programme Coordinator, Sarajevo Open Centre, Livia Zotrija, Activists, Albania, Eleonora Bajrami, Center for Equality and Liberty, Kosovo, Alp Biricik, KAOS, Turkey Moderator: Goran Miletic, Civil Rights Defenders, Director for Europe Organised by Civil Rights Defenders.

14:00–14:45 Right-wing threats to LGBTQ-rights in EuropeLGBTQ-rights have been advanced throughout Europe in recent decades. It's comfortable to think that progress will remain once it has been achieved. Alas, there are no such guarantees. Demands for LGBTQ-rights, old and new, are being quelled by right-wing parties all over Europe. Hear the counterpoint in defence of equality and justice by European left-wing representatives. Participants: Aitzole Araneta, Spanish Podemos; Kamil Maczuga, Polish Razem; Lara Blas, Spanish Podemos; Malin Björk, Swedish Left Party; Zuzanna Lis, Polish Razem. Organised by: Swedish Left Party, Stockholm section

15:00–15:45 Cities as promoters and protectors of human rights for lgbtqi– a case study from the City of Gothenburg and the City of StockholmTwo cities, one country. Sweden’s two largest cities both work to strengthen, protect and promote lgbtqi equality and combat/prevent discrimination, but in quite different ways. How can local government take an active stand through measures to strengthen, protect and promote lgbtqi equality and combat/prevent discrimination? What are the efforts focusing on, what are the lgbtqi policies, action plans and guidelines and how have they been implemented? Find out how the two major cities and municipalities of Sweden are working to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer equality and strengthen human rights at a local level. Participants: Sissela Nordling Blanco, (Fi), Mariya Voyvodova, (S), Richard Brodd (L), Tanya Charif and Angelica Löwdin.

15:00–15:45 Rainbow Europe: from gross violations of human rights to respect and full equality.Daina Rudusa will present ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Europe Module, which brings together a legal index of LGBTI equality reflected in the Rainbow Europe Map and an overview of the social climate for LGBTI people in each country outlined in the corresponding Annual Review of the Human Rights Situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex People in Europe. Rainbow Europe ranks all 49 European countries on a scale between 0% (gross violations of human rights, discrimination) and 100% (respect of human rights, full equality) on the basis of laws and policies that have a direct impact on the LGBTI people’s human rights in under 6 categories: equality and non-discrimination; family; bias motivated speech/violence; legal gender recognition; freedom of assembly, association and expression; and asylum. Participant: Daina Rudusa, coordinator of ILGA-Europe’s advocacy work in Eastern Europe, in particular in EU Enlargement and Eastern Partnership countries. Organised by Europride.

15:00–15:45 Mobilisation of Transgender Communities in Eastern Partnership and RussiaMobilisation of transgender communities in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russian Federation is a relatively new phenomenon, that is affected by constant struggle for equal representation and access to resources. Transgender communities in the post-Soviet contexts remain largely excluded from legal systems, are trapped in medicalization (often affected by prejudices and Soviet education of the medical specialists) and face brutal violence and discrimination. While some of these challenges are common to transgender community globally, others (such as politicization of SOGI issues) are particular to the region, its totalitarian past and affect the development of the movements in a way that can be quite different from their Western European counterparts. So, what are the main mobilization strategies that transgender movements in the regions choose? What do they assess as the main successes and main challenges? What are the resources and support that they need? And how can donor organizations like Sida provide such support or otherwise contribute to strengthening and growth of the transgender movements in the region? During the session we will attempt to tackle all these questions. Participants: tbc Organised by RFSL, Eastern European Coalition for LGBT Equality, Sida

15:00–15:45 Migration On The Continent: LGBTI Refugees & Multiple DiscriminationEvery day we hear the news about enormous waves of refugees from Africa, Afghanistan and Syria etc. Many of these refugees escape from their countries because they fear persecution, and sometimes death penalty, for their sexual orientation or gender identity. When someone has accomplish the hard challenge of fleeing its country, the next challenge is to come: How do you prove to asylum authorities that you are gay or lesbian, another gender than your passport says (if you have a passport)? Coming to an asylum center is the risk high that your persecution or discrimination continue. Do we need special safe places for LGBTI refugees? Meet local activists together with European politicians and NGOs Participants: Martijn Tulp- from the Dutch organization XXX???; Giuseppe Sartori from the Italian organization CIRCOLO TONDELLI LGBTI- an organization which provides save places for LGBTI refugees in Italy; Jytte Guteland MEP Socialdemocrats, Sweden; Malin Björk MEP Left Party,Sweden. Moderator: Mia Sundelin Organised by HBT-Socialdemokrater

15:00–15:45 The Rise Of The Right And Intensifying Identity-Based DiscriminationThe European values and the political map has changed in a way not seen since World War 2. Responsible politicians put groups against each other and nazi networks has increased their political influences. Nationalism become stronger at the expense of democratic values built on equal right for all people. What is the road ahead? Participants: Willy Silberstein, Journalist and writer; Helene Lööw, Historian and expert on Nazism in Sweden; Sören Juvas, President of HBT Social democrats. Moderator: Annika Hamrud. Organised by HBT-Socialdemokrater.

16:00–16:45 Mobilisation of Transgender Communities in Eastern Partnership and RussiaMobilisation of transgender communities in the Eastern Partnership Countries and Russian Federation is a relatively new phenomenon, that is affected by constant struggle for equal representation and access to resources. Transgender communities in the post-Soviet contexts remain largely excluded from legal systems, are trapped in medicalization (often affected by prejudices and Soviet education of the medical specialists) and face brutal violence and discrimination. While some of these challenges are common to transgender community globally, others (such as politicization of SOGI issues) are particular to the region, its totalitarian past and affect the development of the movements in a way that can be quite different from their Western European counterparts. So, what are the main mobilization strategies that transgender movements in the regions choose? What do they assess as the main successes and main challenges? What are the resources and support that they need? And how can donor organizations like Sida provide such support or otherwise contribute to strengthening and growth of the transgender movements in the region? During the session we will attempt to tackle all these questions.Participants:Organised by RFSL, Eastern European Coalition for LGBT Equality, Sida

16:00–16:45 Shrinking space – how to keep on working with Pride festivals and to be an open lgbti-person in Europe todayAll over Europe people are faced with new obstacles, new difficulties as organizers of pride festivals or just as lgbtqi-individuals. Parades are not allowed to march, organisations lose their meeting venues and Pride festivals are being attacked. The venues and spaces we have been taking for granted is taken away. What is our response, how do we keep on working with Pride festivals when all this is happening around us, and how do keep on living as lgbtqi-individuals. In this seminar participants from EPOA and Latvia, InterPride, Italy and Hungary will share their experience on organizing Pride festivals and coming out and living in a hostile environment. Medverkande: Frank van Dalen, Kristine Garina, Marco Tancredi, Zsolt Virág Arrangeras av: EuroPride

16:00–16:45 Working for LGBTI Rights as a member of the European ParliamentWhat strategies are used to push LGBTI rights in the right direction from the members of the European Parliament? What does the resistance look like? Who are the allies? What do you foresee happens after the elections in 2019? Will the anti-discrimination horisontal directive ever be adopted? In this session, you will hear from three Swedish members of the European Parliament. Participants: Malin Björk, Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left ; Jytte Guteland, Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament; Fredrick Federley, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. Organised by Europride

16:00–16:45 Reproductive rights and LGBTI rights: different challenges, different strategies?In some European countries, the fight for reproductive rights have been much more challenging than the fight for LGBTI rights, in other countries, it is currently proving to be equally hard and more repressive politics are on the rise. How can we learn from each other, can the recent success in Ireland be repeated in other countries? Participants: Cat McIlroy, Ireland; Mina Tolu, Malta; Mirka Markuchowska, Poland, Zsófia A. Szabó, HungaryModerators: Kristina Ljungros, RFSU; Sandra Ehne, RFSL. Organised by: Europride.

16:00–16:45 Russia and Belarus – countering hate crime and hate speech against the LGBTQI+ communityIn tandem with a worsening human rights situation, both Belarus and Russia have embarked on a crackdown on LGBTQI+ rights for the past few years. As a result, LGBTQI+ individuals and rights activists face increased discrimination, threats and violence in their everyday lives. In Russia the state seldom takes actions to counter violence against the LGBTQI+ community and offences are not categorized as hate crimes. Authorities rarely open criminal cases even when evidence is sufficient. After the adoption of the law that ban propaganda of “non-traditional sexual relations” among minors in 2013 the situation has deteriorated further. In Chechnya the situation is especially severe. During the spring of 2017, it was revealed that gay men were detained in mass, threatened and tortured. Apart from the “gay propaganda law”, several laws that restrict the right to association, assembly and expression have also been adopted in the past years - for instance, a law that forces organisations that receive foreign funding to register as foreign agents if engaging in what is loosely defined as “political activity”. Similar to the Russian homophobic propaganda law, Belarus adopted a law that prohibits the dissemination of information “that discredits the institution of the family and marriage’’ in 2017. As in Russia, people who experience violence due to their sexual orientation or gender identity seldom take the cases to the police due to bad experiences of law enforcement bodies and lack of trust. A survey that Freedom House conducted in 2016 revealed that the LGBTQI+ community remains one of the most persecuted groups in Belarus. Additionally, due to repressive legislation, activists cannot register their organisations. Free and fair elections are not possible and the judiciary in both Belarus and Russia is political. Altogether, this has led to a worsening situation where LGBTQI+ rights activists are facing more obstacles in their everyday work, which also creates fatigue. How do you work in this environment to counter hate crime and hate speech, and what can you achieve? What strategies work? Meet representatives from the Russia-based LGBT group “Coming Out”, the Russian LGBT Network, and the Human Rights Initiative “Journalists for Tolerance”, based in Belarus, to gain access to their experiences and knowledge within this field. Medverkande: Cecilia Rosing, Programme Officer for Eurasia, Civil Rights Defenders. Kseniya Mikhailova: Lawyer at the LGBT group Coming Out. Oleg Rozhkov - journalist, media expert, Chairperson of the board, Human Rights Initiative "Journalists for Tolerance" Representative of the Russian LGBT Network. Organised by Civil Rights Defenders

17:00–17:45 Closing sessionChallenges ahead Discussion about the state of LGBTI rights and future strategies.